Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 January 2013
The portion of Berwickshire, of which the object of this paper is to describe the more remarkable geological features, comprises, within a very limited space, an assemblage of phenomena of the highest interest, in relation to the wonderful changes which this part of our island has undergone in the earlier periods of the earth's history. Its situation is immediately to the north of Dunse, and its area is about 16 square miles, within which are comprehended the junctions of the greywacke rocks of the Lammermuirs, with the strata of the old red sandstone formation, and of the latter with the lower members of the coal measures. The chief eminences within the district are Cockburnlaw, which attains a height of 912 feet above the level of the sea; Dunselaw, 630 feet; the Knock, Borthwick, and Castlemains Hills; and the Staneshiel, a hill of the same formation as Cockburnlaw, from which it is separated by a ravine of 300 or 400 feet deep, in which the Whiteadder flows. The general topographical features of the district will be best understood by reference to the accompanying map.
page 38 note * Within the last few weeks the remains of fossil fishes have been discovered in the course of Langton Burn, about a mile SW. from Dunse, in strata belonging to the lower part of the coal measures. These remains consist of scales, spines, teeth, and other bones, similar to those found at Burdiehouse. They occur in a soft friable sandstone, which abounds also in Lepidodendra, and other plants of the coal formation. Some remains of the Holoptychius have likewise been recently found in the old red sandstone strata on the estate of Billie, about four miles NE. from Dunse.—21st April 1845.